MIKE KITCHING

Born 1940

Sculptor Michael Kitching was born in 1940 in Hull, England, UK, moving to Australia in 1952. Growing up in England, he often visited galleries and museums with his father, James Digby Percival Kitching, a military trained engineer and builder who was responsible for building two major oil refineries in the UK during WW11. It was through his father’s creative influence that Kitching’s love of art was founded, teaching him also how to work, construct and create with his hands.

Kitching graduated from Sydney Teachers College in the early 1960s, Mike’s first ‘proper’ job was for the NSW Education Department. There he taught Woodwork, Metalwork and Technical Drawing throughout regional areas of NSW. Having painted as a child and adolescent, it was in teaching these practical subjects that he eventually found a new creative medium of sculpture. Here his artistic career was born.

Kitching, who soon became a household name of the 1960s Australian art world, was held in high critical regard for his sculptures. He won numerous awards, including his first – the Blake Prize for religious art in 1964, as well as travelling scholarships which enabled him to spend time in Europe, visiting galleries, museums and castles as he had as a child, and seeing the inspirational works of Leonardo Di Vinci in Florence.

Through his friendships and working relationships with key art figures, namely John Kaldor and Dr Jean Battersby (who was Kitching’s agent for over 35 years), he produced a plethora of commissioned works and continued to grow and flourish as an outstanding and reputable artist.

Mike continues to create from his home in Lovett Bay, Pittwater on the NSW north coast.